This holiday season has been a crazy one for Russ and I. Between my school stress and Russ's interviewing and traveling, we've hardly had ANY time to relax. I know...many of you are sitting there saying, "Welcome to the real world." But, seriously, from October on I never felt like I could catch up! So, I had an idea! My dad had told us he was planning to visit a friend who recently moved to Maryville, TN after Christmas. Enter my thought! Maryville is near Gatlinburg! My family used to go to Gatlinburg every Spring Break for cheerleading competitions and vacations. We haven't been in forever. So, my dad's friendly visit turned into a Smith family vacation to Gatlinburg. Our mission: to RELAX!

We began our vacation on the 27th after a wedding that my dad officiated in Memphis. Since he was in Memphis, we just decided to meet him in Nashville and spend a night there. We stayed across the street from the Opryland Hotel. Our hotel was very nice and within walking distance of the Opryland Hotel. We spent the evening walking through the hotel and eating dinner there. It was a fun night. I always love the Opryland Hotel during the holidays.

The family inside the Opryland Hotel - thanks to Lee for taking the picture!

The kids outside the hotel

Enough Said...

Yes...the Smith family is on vacation again! We are in Gatlinburg TRYING to enjoy some relaxation and beautiful sights. I will begin blogging about this as soon as I can. The internet connection is terrible!

However, I will leave you with a view of what it's like to vacation with the Smiths.

Daddy flipped the recliner landing against the fireplace with computer in his lap! I definitely had my priorities in line - MY CAMERA!

Enough said!

Coon Family Christmas

Growing up, my grandparents always came up from Jackson on Christmas Day to see what Santa brought. We would eat supper and open gifts with them that night. Since Nonnie has had Alzheimer's, she is not able to come up to Corinth anymore. So, last year, we started a new tradition. My family packed up and headed to Jackson Christmas Day. We ate at my aunt's sister's house. Then, we headed to my aunt and uncle's to open gifts. We had a wonderful time visiting and sharing memories with LOTS of laughter! In case you haven't figured this out - laughter is a staple in our family!

Daddy, Mama, Pops, and Nonnie enjoying some fabulous food

Uncle Howard, Aunt Patsy, Clancy, Jack, and Aunt Patsy's sister's family

Kristin and Dustin looked so cute in their "homey" rocking chairs!

Russ and me eating on a side table - so young and in love! Ha!

Santa Claus Came to Town!

Christmas morning is the day! Santa has made his list and checked it twice...and we must have been on the nice list! Yay! Christmas morning my brother, sister, and I always wait at the stairs until everyone is there. No one can see what Santa brought until we were all together. So, this year was no different! We all waited at the bottom of the stairs. Text messages were sent to make sure we were all up! Ha! I must admit, Santa Claus was very good to us this year!

Kristin, me, Russ, and Dustin coming straight from BED!

Russ's surprise from Santa in his new tailgating chair! Our stockings are heirlooms made by a family member many years ago. When Russ joined the family, my grandmother had my grandfather's old stocking changed to become Russ's. Very special!

I love my new scrapbooking tote! Jimmy and Roan's family gave me lots of scrapbook accessories to put in it! Also, notice the cute robe Santa picked out!

Russ was super surprised about his new Ipod Nano! Loving his chair!

Santa even left Farley a little something - a roll in his stocking! There is a very funny story behind this!

Smith Family Christmas

After the Johnson family Christmas festivities, Russ and I always make our way to our home church for the Christmas Eve service. It's always such a special time for us to reflect on what this holiday is truly about. After the Christmas Eve service, my family heads back to my parents' house to eat supper and open gifts. Always very eventful!

Russ and me in front of the tree

After supper, Kristin, Dustin, and I pass out gifts to our "official spots." As my grandmother entered the room, she yelled out, "This is just sinful!" We tried to explain that there are a lot of people opening all these gifts!

Again - gifts, gifts...

...and more gifts!

Me, Kristin, and Mama waiting patiently to open gifts

Little did we know...there were some special visitors at our home that night!

Elf 1...

Elf 2...

...and the big man himself!

Well...this is the REAL big man! Sorry, Russ!

We were all particularly excited about our gifts we found for Maw Maw. Maw Maw plays cards and dominoes with "the girls" at least 2-3 times a week. I mean...until wee hours of the morning! So she was very excited when she opened her monogrammed playing cards and "Bling Pink Dominoes" - the dots were pink rhinestones!

Maw Maw as she opened her Pink Bling Domino set

Lee and Rhonda join us for this fun night of FREE entertainment! Ha!

It's so nice for Kristin to pick out a "stylish" wardrobe for me! I would much rather spend my time shopping for others!

Dustin is extremely happy about his Dale Earnhart, Jr. loot!

Mama and Daddy's new piggy bank - Now, they can just put thier money in the top pig labeled "Retirement Fund" and watch it go into the bigger pig labeled "College Fund." They are so glad they can actually SEE where their money goes!

Kristin was obsessed with anything OWL this year! Notice the owl apron and cd holder.

Dustin and Russ in their new North Face hats.

Farley even had a wonderful Christmas! Notice his cute Christmas t-shirt, leg warmers, and matching scarf on the floor. He also LOVED his bed and dog bowls!

Mama acting like...well - HER NORMAL SELF!

The Smith family had a major catastrophe this year! We ran out of garbage bags!! It was funny until we FINALLY finished opening gifts and goofing off at midnight! This is what we saw.

The mess in the middle of the living room

The mess behind the couch

One of my favorite things about Christmas Eve is our family tradition before going to bed. My dad always reads the Christmas Story and the Night Before Christmas to all the kids before we go to bed and get ready for Santa!

Farley is allowed to join in...I guess since he's the "grandpuppy." Russ never made the cut!

It was a very entertaining and fun Christmas Eve, as always! Now, we just wait for Santa! And, YES, Santa still comes to our house full of adults!

Johnson Family Christmas

Each year, on Christmas Eve, Russ and I have Christmas with his family. We celebrate Russ's mom's birthday, eat lunch, and open gifts. We started doing this a couple of years ago so that each family could be home early to get ready for Santa. I love getting to see all the kids open their gifts! They are so excited!

Gifts, gifts...

...and more gifts!

Clay opening his City Legos from Uncle Russ and Aunt Megan

Passing out gifts as Granmomma wrapped them

Jimmy and Roan watching the kids open gifts

Russ's mom with her apron from the Paula Deen store

Will

Roan with her Paula Deen coffee from the Paula Deen store

Olivia and Julie were SO much fun to watch! They would get SO excited over each present!

Jeff, me, and Jenny taking it all in...waiting for the "grown-up's" turn!

Grace and Leah ripping into their gifts!

Seth, Sam, Roan, Julie, Grace, and Leah

Granmomma and Pop's big gift from their kids and families - a group picture from our Seaside trip. Russ's camera takes great pictures!

Russ LOVED his percolator from the Mansels! So did the Smith family that night! :)